University of Wisconsin President Ray Cross on Tuesday asked the Legislature's budget-writing committee to approve a new public authority for the UW System, a "dedicated and stable funding stream" and to reduce the governor's proposed $300 million budget cut over the next two years.

Shortly after he finished his testimony, a handful of protesters burst into the room shouting, "No cuts, no deals." Followed by four Capitol police officers, the protesters marched past the table where Cross was sitting to give testimony before the Joint Committee on Finance.

If Park Bank is liable for not spotting Sujata "Sue" Sachdeva's $34 million embezzlement from Koss Corp. and has to reimburse the company, Koss Chief Executive Michael Koss should also be ordered to personally pay the public company he runs, the bank argues in a new lawsuit.

Grant Thornton, Koss Corp.'s former auditor, should also have to pay a portion of any award that may be ordered, Park Bank argued in the latest twist in a long-running court fight stemming from Sachdeva's massive embezzlement.

"Park Bank denies any and all liability to Koss in this case," the bank said in its action. "Nevertheless, should Park Bank be found liable to Koss (Corp.) and required to pay damages to Koss, in this case, those damages will have been the result of a common liability of Park Bank, Michael Koss and Grant Thornton, thereby entitling Park Bank to (a) contribution from Michael Koss and Grant Thornton."(3)

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What a hamburger story, there is no discernible difference in the player from this year to last year. There ain't no way in the Klondike Ball's name is going to be called in the second round....get serious. Ball has upside on special teams and that is about it. If he can duplicate the production from the Nebraska game, even that probably would not move him up to the second round, and there aint no way he's going to rush anywhere near 200yds.

Its absolutely ludicrous to think Ball improved his draft position by hanging around. And, that was not the reason he hung around, he just wanted more college life and a crack at another rose bowl, so he reached his objective. But, at his size he aint going nowhere, and he does not have near the speed to go anywhere but to the back of the draft.

Ball improved on lateral quickness, explosiveness and perhaps most importantly pass blocking. Whether he improved his stock remains to be seen. I suspect he'll be a late second round pick, and make a good addition to many teams. Not mention in the article is the fact that Ball can catch the ball, even though the Badgers seldom ask him to do so. He'll make a good third back, and could play on early downs for many teams.

If there were improvement there should be a statistical improvement in output. Nebraska was so inept and so completely outplayed there quite literally was no one to tackle Ball once he got by the line of scrimmage.

He's a nice college back, but will have a very short career in the NFL. He just does not have the speed and when you're that small you better be elusive. Ball will be squished; if he goes earlier than the 4th round someone is in dereliction of their duty.

Thanks for the link. Nice to see an analysis with specific points instead of some broad general statement. Ball has looked awfully good second half of this year. Stiff arm Saturday sure was a guy running angry.

I kind of thought he should have gone last year mostly because of the wear and tear on his body another year would take and how NFL personnel view that. But I also felt that when a young man and his family make a decision as to what's best for him, we should respect it.

Jeff, everyone knows the rose colored glasses you see things with. While yes, it's good to be a fan, but I don't know how you can think coming back is good for him.

No way is this going to pay off for Montee Ball.

Last year he was thought to be a third round, maybe (in my opinion, likely) a second round pick. Now a second year contributor to NFL.com, who happens to be named Bucky, says he'll be a second round pick and suddenly that's redemption?

How can anyone think staying at WI helped him?

He could have been drafted round 2 a year ago. With ~2000 less yards on his tires when its all said and done. 332 attempts less! That's a lot of total mileage.

Look at where he could have been drafted...

St. Louis in round 2 - would have been a perfect fit for himSan Fran in round 3 - not as attractive, but Gore is almost out of thereDenver Broncos in round 3 - he could be starting right now

I don't think he would have went any lower than those guys went, and all 3 are looking at either a starting job next year, or the year after that.

Who wants to spend a second rounder on a RB who has 2000 more miles on him than he should? I think at this point Montee Ball goes end of round 3, maybe round 4, but he will be put in a situation where he is behind a pretty talented RB, kind of like how Toby Gerhart got the shaft, and Lamar Miller. Ball will sit for the majority of his first contract. Heck, he should be first heading into 2013. Could be a starting RB next season, with 2-3 years left on his first contract, set to be a FA at the age of 25, which is prime age for a running back in the NFL.

And we are forgeting the obvious; he came back for another year for free, when someone was offering him hundreds of thousands with a million plus signing bonus to do the same job.

Would you buy a 2013 brand new car, or a 2012 used car with extra mileage for the same price?

JP simply provided a ink to an analysis by a guy who does these for a living. His conclusion is that Montee is a more well rounded NFL prospect than he was a year ago. If so, he will do well as no one here really knows where he would have gone or done last year.

I remember when Montee Ball was coming out of high school and he was evaluated by Kirk Herbstreit & Tom Lemming (who you know do this for a living) said he wouldn't make a major impact at the Div 1 level. They said he would be a good short yardage complimentary back, but not a feature back. They were right -___- no impact here. #sarcasm!!!!

The best available infomation last year projected Ball as a third round pick. Of course, projections can be wrong, and he could have gone as high as the second round, and as late as the fifth round. Early projections now say either the second round or the third. Those too could be wrong. Thus, it appears, but is not certain, that he increased his draft standing by as much as one round.

Most NFL players last exactly one contract (or play for minimum salary if they are resigned after getting cut). That means most players should aim to get paid with the first contract, as there is not likely to be a second one. The NFL rookie cap makes a dramatic difference between second and third round picks. If Ball moves up a round, financially, that would pay off for him, unless he last long enough for a second contract at more than minimum salaries. In that case, delaying free agency by a year could work against him.

By passing up the draft, Ball took a shot at winning the national title, the Heisman trophy and setting the NCAA touchdown record. Two of those goals fell short.

Was it worth it? Maybe. The jury is still out. Of course, there is more to life than money. Staying or goind was always a close call to me. Players projected as first round picks should generally go. After that, there are no obvious answers, and many players may be better off staying. Especially if they have the chance to improve their standing.